Full job description
Engagement basis: Consultancy — one-off fixed fee, payable on successful Ofsted registration of the service. The role covers the registration phase: completing the SC2, sitting the Fit Person Interview, and building/signing off the registration evidence pack through to grant of registration.
Regulatory & Ofsted Accountability
Act as the registered Responsible Individual (Nominated Individual) for the children's home, representing the organisation to Ofsted and serving as the principal point of contact for all regulatory matters.
Complete the SC2 application, undergo the Ofsted Fit Person Interview, and maintain ongoing fitness throughout the registration period.
Governance & Oversight
Oversee and challenge the Registered Manager (RM) to ensure effective day-to-day leadership of the home and delivery against the nine Quality Standards.
Conduct the Regulation 44 independent visit arrangements and Regulation 45 quality of care review oversight — ensuring monthly independent visits and the six-monthly quality of care review are commissioned, scrutinised and acted upon.
Peer-review and co-sign policies, procedures and key documents (Statement of Purpose, Children's Guide, Workforce Plan, safeguarding, behaviour management, missing-from-home, and safer recruitment policies).
Safeguarding & Quality Assurance
Maintain strategic oversight of safeguarding, working closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and RM to ensure robust referral, escalation, and multi-agency partnership-working arrangements (LADO, police, children's social care).
Audit and sign off admission, placement matching, risk assessment, care planning, and move-in/move-out (impact risk assessment) processes.
Provide governance-level assurance on the quality and purpose of care, protection of children, and the home's compliance with the Children's Homes Regulations.
Workforce, Finance & Strategic Leadership
Build and maintain effective relationships with placing authorities, commissioners, social workers, IROs, and external partners (CAMHS, health, education, virtual schools, and leaving-care teams).
Provide leadership on workforce planning, financial viability, and the home's readiness for its first full Ofsted inspection.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Minimum of 2 years' senior leadership experience in an Ofsted-registered children's service (children's home, residential special school, fostering agency, or equivalent) — non-negotiable.
- Demonstrable knowledge of the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, the Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations including the Quality Standards, the SCCIF, the Care Standards Act 2000, the Children Act 1989 (in particular ss20, 22, 22C, 31 and the corporate parenting duties), the Children and Social Work Act 2017, and Working Together to Safeguard Children.
- Eligibility to be appointed as a director or equivalent officer of the registering organisation.
- Enhanced DBS with child barred list clearance (or willing to obtain via Ofsted's Capita service).
- Two professional references covering recent senior children's social care roles.
- Mentally and physically fit to carry out the role, of good character and financially fit (in line with Schedule 1).
DESIRABLE
- Previous experience as a Responsible Individual or Nominated Individual for an Ofsted-registered children's home.
- Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare, or equivalent qualification (e.g. social work, youth work, health or education leadership qualification at Level 5+).
- Experience caring for children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties, learning disabilities, or complex/clinical needs.
- Knowledge of local authority commissioning frameworks and residential placement fee structures.
- Experience launching a new Ofsted-registered children's home from registration through to first inspection.
Pay: From £500.00 a day
Work Location: In person
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Watford (Hertfordshire, East of England Region)
